Diaco is Building Something Special

[IrishBlood81]

The Notre Dame fan in me wants to agree.

The analyst in me says we played a discouraged Utah team that didn't show up, a poor Army team, and USC without their quarterback.

While this is the most we've seen from ND's defense in 10947043591873 years, I don't think they are a top 10 defense in the country.

Well, we had our starting QB didn't we? Oh wait, thats right. We had a freshmen that has only start 2 games (and threw 3 picks and 1 fumble).
And their back up was a senior that has started 8 games and been behind some phenomenal QBs.
So yeah, I'd call it even .

He has done a phenomenal job, but let's give it up to Chuck Martin for the outstanding job he has done with the secondary.

Outstanding? Really? I think our secondary is horrendous. If they had Barkley in, we'd be weeping right now.

81

 

[cincy gold]

Well, we had our starting QB didn't we? Oh wait, thats right. We had a freshmen that has only start 2 games (and threw 3 picks and 1 fumble).
And their back up was a senior that has started 8 games and been behind some phenomenal QBs.
So yeah, I'd call it even .




Outstanding? Really? I think our secondary is horrendous. If they had Barkley in, we'd be weeping right now.

81

almost everything you say on hear seems so negative. just shut up and enjoy the win. who cares if barkely didnt play. we didnt have our qb, rb, and te that started the beginning of the year.

 

[kmoose]

The point about Barkley not playing is a valid one. Dayne Crist being out has nothing to do with it. The topic is the defense, not the overall team. The defense has played very well, the last 3 games. But I don't think that we can assume that they will automatically play at the same level, right out of the gate, next year. This is also the same defense that looked like absolute chumps against Navy. So they are just as capable of playing poorly, as they are capable of playing very well. We all hope that the last three games is a sign of them having turned the corner, and becoming what we all hoped they would. But we just don't know yet. However, for the first time in many years, there is real and tangible reason to think that the coaching staff just might have figured something out.

 

[mick2]

I really think this defense is going to resemble an sec defense in the next year or two. Led by the two monsters in the middle Carlo and Manti. Also Brian Smith is my November player of the month!

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Brian Smith was a stud, Gray was awesome outside and the line was clogging the running lanes all night. Harrison Smith must have said a few Hail Marys before the game.... thank God.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Outstanding? Really? I think our secondary is horrendous. If they had Barkley in, we'd be weeping right now.

81

A couple of you guys are way overstating how good Matt Barkley is. Yes, he might have done better than Mustain, but that's not the given you're making it out to be. See, he put up all those numbers against their HORRIBLE early-season opponents (Hawaii, Minn, Virginia, Wazzou, etc). I watch every single SC game. and he clearly was regressing. Even the SC fans were saying it on their boards. Look at his last 4 games before he got injured:

5 TDs
6 INTs

Oregon State shut him out in the first half of their game. This was not the Matt Barkley you saw vs. Cal. Ignore the early season numbers and look at how he was trending. I would've taken the Irish in this game with our without Barkley. The fact that our QB tried to give the game away and we still won is a testament to this defense, and I say that fully believing we would've done the same against Barkley.

 

[Irish Man3]

Of course it would have been a different game if Barkely played or if R. Johnson caught that pass. It would have been different if D. Crist played and was throwing to Rudolph and a healthy Theo Riddick.
The fact is "THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE." USC was very undisciplined and not the sae team they have been in years past. Mitch Mustain is not Matt Barkely but Barkely hasn't been setting the world on fire lately. Everyone is so quick to bury our coaching staff when we are down, but reluctant to give credit when credit is due. Diaco and the position coaches on defense deserve some credit. When you have athletes like Rojo and R. Woods on the outside, it's tough to shut that down. Minus a slip from Hayseed late in the game, these guys were locked up for the most part. Be real Notre Dame fans and enjoy the win. We just beat USC for the first in almost a decade and we're talking about "what ifs" and bull**** like that. Shut up! We won!

 

[phork]

I have to agree, the defense against Navy had me scratching my head. These guys are out to punch you in the mouth right now and I love it.

I will be the first to admit that I questioned whether or not we would be moving over to Elite Avenue with our defense, well the moving trucks are on their way. Work to do (Pack up and load the truck) and then just move on in.

 

[DaLastFarleyite]

I have to agree, the defense against Navy had me scratching my head. These guys are out to punch you in the mouth right now and I love it.

I will be the first to admit that I questioned whether or not we would be moving over to Elite Avenue with our defense, well the moving trucks are on their way. Work to do (Pack up and load the truck) and then just move on in.

Diaco learned a lesson against Navy. Against Army he scrapped the 3-4 and went to a 4 man DL scheme. He also had the box more loaded and brought one of the two safteties up. They attacked both the fullback and the QB.

This is what I like about Diaco. He learns and he adjusts.

 

[JayRock]

Well, we had our starting QB didn't we? Oh wait, thats right. We had a freshmen that has only start 2 games (and threw 3 picks and 1 fumble).
And their back up was a senior that has started 8 games and been behind some phenomenal QBs.
So yeah, I'd call it even .




Outstanding? Really? I think our secondary is horrendous. If they had Barkley in, we'd be weeping right now.

81

I see your point, but I was discussing whether our defense was top 10. Not anything to do with our offense.

 

[RallySonsOfND]

Who would have thought we'd have a better defense than an offense?

 

[Senoj13]

I love the way the defense is playing, BUT when teams try to stretch it to the outside, I think we are still suspect. Blackledge hit the nail on the head last night. They played right into ND's hands. They went up the middle and off tackle. ND is still not fast enough to cover the sweeps IMO.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

Of course it would have been a different game if Barkely played or if R. Johnson caught that pass. It would have been different if D. Crist played and was throwing to Rudolph and a healthy Theo Riddick.
The fact is "THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE." USC was very undisciplined and not the sae team they have been in years past. Mitch Mustain is not Matt Barkely but Barkely hasn't been setting the world on fire lately. Everyone is so quick to bury our coaching staff when we are down, but reluctant to give credit when credit is due. Diaco and the position coaches on defense deserve some credit. When you have athletes like Rojo and R. Woods on the outside, it's tough to shut that down. Minus a slip from Hayseed late in the game, these guys were locked up for the most part. Be real Notre Dame fans and enjoy the win. We just beat USC for the first in almost a decade and we're talking about "what ifs" and bull**** like that. Shut up! We won!

100%

 

[InKellyITrust]

I can't wait to watch Teo, Prince and the other young defensive players next season with another year under Diaco's system.

 

[irishbearsfan]

Does any insider know what bowls are looking at inviting the Irish?

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Hat goes off to Diaco and Martin and our Defense. Our defense flat out won this game against USC. Without them, we lose this game bad. They came to play on Saturday and many times had to play even harder after our Offense kept turning over the ball. I'm so proud of the way they played. The played with pride, passion and intensity all night long. The scary thought here for opposing teams is that we are very young and most will be returning next year. If we can get our offense on track then ND is going to be a formiddable opponent for years to come. GO IRISH!!!! GREAT GAME D!!!!